Today, a customer tells a programmer what to build using natural language. The customer doesn't write a precise spec; instead, they iterate with the programmer:

Today, a customer tells a programmer what to build using natural language. The customer doesn't write a precise spec; instead, they iterate with the programmer: "no, add a button here.", "yes, but make sure you can decline an order.". Imagine you're a non-technical person and you communicate with a programmer only via email. You could still get your product built. Is it really hard to imagine than an LLM could (someday) be on the other side of the email? As for stability, I think that's something that LLMs have an advantage in. Imagine the user and the LLM create a set of regression tests. The LLM can patiently run the tests on every change. The goal isn't perfection (LLM reads my mind and instantly creates a program). The goal is better/faster/cheaper than dealing with a human programmer. Believe me, I know LLMs today are not there yet. The question is how long will they take to get there? My guess is 10-20 years, and I'm probably a pessimist.